Hegseth criticizes NATO allies as 'free riders' and announces review of US forces in Europe
Pete Hegseth has publicly criticized NATO allies as "free riders" and announced a review of US forces stationed in Europe, sparking debate on transatlantic defense commitments.
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US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has strongly criticized NATO allies, accusing them of "free riding" on American defense contributions and "shameful" inaction regarding US military operations in Iran. Speaking at a meeting of NATO defense ministers in Brussels, Hegseth announced a comprehensive six-month Pentagon review of US forces stationed across Europe. This move follows a decision to scale back American commitments within the alliance.
The review is intended to ensure European nations take greater responsibility for their own security, with the US advocating for a "NATO 3.0" model where the alliance functions as a "two-way street". Hegseth specifically lambasted allies for denying predictable access to bases and overflight permissions crucial for US operations against Iranian targets. The outcome of this assessment could lead to a reduction of US troops in European countries that fail to meet defense spending targets.
What each outlet emphasizes
- CNN: reports Hegseth's criticism of NATO allies and review announcement
- The Guardian: highlights Hegseth accusing NATO countries of 'free riding'
- AP: emphasizes Hegseth attacking NATO allies and announcing a review
Read it at the source
aap.com.au ↗ theguardian.com ↗ cbsnews.com ↗ time.com ↗ washingtonpost.com ↗